Dave Mustaine was an early member of the band Metallica, and helped pen tracks that wound up on their first two albums. In 1983, Mustaine was let go from the group by Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield due to personal conflicts and substance abuse. He would be replaced by Kirk Hammett, guitarist for the Bay Area thrash band Exodus, who remains with the band to this day. Dave felt slighted and vowed to make his own band, which would be even faster and heavier than Metallica. Mustaine picked the name "Megadeth" from a pamphlet by California senator Alan Cranston that read: "The arsenal of megadeath can't be rid no matter what the peace treaties come to."
In 1985, Megadeth released their debut album, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, on the independent record label Combat Records, to moderate success. It caught the attention of bigger labels, which led to Megadeth signing with Capitol Records. Their first major-label album, Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, was released in 1986 and was a major hit with the underground metal scene. Band members' substance abuse issues and personal disputes had brought Megadeth negative publicity during the late 1980s. Nonetheless, the band went on to release a number of platinum-selling albums, including So Far, So Good... So What! (1988), Rust in Peace (1990), and Countdown to Extinction (1992). These albums, along with worldwide tours, brought them public recognition.
Megadeth has had numerous guitarists, drummers and bassists throughout its 39-year career, with Mustaine being the only remaining original member of the group. The band temporarily disbanded in 2002 when Mustaine suffered an arm injury and re-established in 2004 without longtime bassist David Ellefson, who had taken legal action against him. Ellefson settled out of court and rejoined the band in 2010, but was fired in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Megadeth's current lineup includes Mustaine, bassist James LoMenzo, guitarist Kiko Loureiro and drummer Dirk Verbeuren.
Megadeth earned platinum certifications in the United States for six of its sixteen studio albums, and has received twelve Grammy nominations. Megadeth won its first Grammy Award in 2017 for the song "Dystopia" in the Best Metal Performance category. The band's mascot, Vic Rattlehead, regularly appears on album artwork and live shows. Megadeth has hosted its own music festival, Gigantour, several times since July 2005, and held its first MegaCruise in October 2019.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megadeth
Studio albums
Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985)
Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986)
So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
Rust in Peace (1990)
Countdown to Extinction (1992)
Youthanasia (1994)
Cryptic Writings (1997)
Risk (1999)
The World Needs a Hero (2001)
The System Has Failed (2004)
United Abominations (2007)
Endgame (2009)
Thirteen (2011)
Super Collider (2013)
Dystopia (2016)
The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! (2022)
My Kingdom
Megadeth Lyrics
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And now I reclaim this banner by God my sword and my name
In a truce sealed by blood within this metal skin and all that I own
Blood, bone, and courage in my veins and the heart that pumps it
Drink from the chalice and be reborn
And the land with me, it will change and transform
I have awoken the dragon and all around me the mist of his breath
Good and evil, there never is one without the other, his brother
Always there where I least expect it, it will burn me to cinders
The futures taken root in the present son
Don't look into my heart, least of all your own
No man who is false can win in combat against the truth
When he lies he murders some part of the world, we must find what was lost
Hearth and home, wife and child were not for me, I was not yet done
I never knew how empty my soul was until it was refilled
Mad distemper strikes both beggars and Kings
The Necromancer's hard teachings of war and quest
I am given the right to bear arms and power to meet justice
I have lived through others for far too long,
And carried my guilt, my causes, my sins
I hope in the hereafter when I owe no more to the future
That I can be just a man
"My Kingdom" by Megadeth is a song about reclaiming power and finding one's true purpose. It begins with the lead singer, who was once a king, acknowledging that he had abandoned his kingdom and his flag. However, he is now ready to reclaim his throne using his sword, God, and his own name. The lyrics suggest that the truce he has made within himself has given him a new sense of power and determination. He is filled with blood, bone, and courage, and he believes that his heart is what drives him. As he drinks from the chalice offered to him, he feels reborn and knows that he will transform the land around him.
The second verse of the song discusses the role of a fighting man in the world. It is his duty to seek truth and justice, even if it means going against popular opinions. The lead singer talks about how he has awakened the dragon within himself, which is symbolic of the power and strength that he has found. However, he also acknowledges the fact that good and evil coexist, and he cannot ignore this fact. He knows that there will be challenges along the way, and he will face many obstacles that can burn him to cinders. He also realizes that the future is rooted in the present, and everyone must find their purpose to make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
The flag that I once planted as a king I abandoned
I gave up my former power and influence
And now I reclaim this banner by God my sword and my name
I am taking back my role with the help of my strength and reputation
In a truce sealed by blood within this metal skin and all that I own
I have made a solemn agreement and have put everything I have into it
Blood, bone, and courage in my veins and the heart that pumps it
I am filled with determination and bravery to see this through
Drink from the chalice and be reborn
Take in this experience and be transformed
And the land with me, it will change and transform
The world will not be the same because of my actions
A fighting man sworn to the quest it is the doom of man that they forget
As a warrior dedicated to this mission, it is mankind's tragic flaw to forget
I have awoken the dragon and all around me the mist of his breath
I have stirred up a dangerous force, and the consequences are evident
Good and evil, there never is one without the other, his brother
These two opposing forces always exist together
Always there where I least expect it, it will burn me to cinders
Evil can strike at any moment, and it will have devastating consequences
The futures taken root in the present son
The future is already beginning to take shape in the present time
Don't look into my heart, least of all your own
Avoid looking too deeply into my emotions or yours, as it can be dangerous
No man who is false can win in combat against the truth
Truth will always triumph over falsehood, even in battle
When he lies he murders some part of the world, we must find what was lost
Lies have the power to destroy, so we must retrieve what has been lost
Hearth and home, wife and child were not for me, I was not yet done
I did not settle down and start a family as I still had unfinished business
I never knew how empty my soul was until it was refilled
I was unaware of how much I needed this fulfillment until I received it
Mad distemper strikes both beggars and Kings
Mental illness can affect everyone, regardless of status or wealth
The Necromancer's hard teachings of war and quest
The difficult and harsh lessons of war and adventure
I am given the right to bear arms and power to meet justice
I have the authority and strength to enforce what is right
I have lived through others for far too long,
I have been too reliant on others for my own happiness and success
And carried my guilt, my causes, my sins
I have shouldered my own guilt and issues
I hope in the hereafter when I owe no more to the future
I look forward to a time when I am no longer responsible for the future
That I can be just a man
I long to simply be a regular person without any obligations or duties
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE MUSTAINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind